Antoine wants Lebron in green

[Roy H.]

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but if I was him, I’m going to Boston,” Walker said on FS1’s “First Things First” Wednesday. “I’m going to Boston. I mean, Kevin Durant did it. Kevin Durant joined the best. The best team in the Eastern Conference right now would be the Boston Celtics. I would figure out a way to Boston if I’m LeBron James.”

I know he’s almost universally hated by the fan base, but I’d welcome Lebron with open arms.

The question: would you trade Kyrie + Morris + filler for him?

I think I would:

Horford / Baynes
Tatum / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Lebron / Rozier

That team is close to unbeatable. Lebron plus four shooters? Lebron on the #1 defense?

[BitterJim]

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but if I was him, I’m going to Boston,” Walker said on FS1’s “First Things First” Wednesday. “I’m going to Boston. I mean, Kevin Durant did it. Kevin Durant joined the best. The best team in the Eastern Conference right now would be the Boston Celtics. I would figure out a way to Boston if I’m LeBron James.”

I know he’s almost universally hated by the fan base, but I’d welcome Lebron with open arms.

The question: would you trade Kyrie + Morris + filler for him?

I think I would:

Horford / Baynes
Tatum / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Lebron / Rozier

That team is close to unbeatable. Lebron plus four shooters? Lebron on the #1 defense?

I'd have a hard time trading Kyrie for him simply because of age. As much as it'd hurt to do, I would probably trade Hayward or Horford for him without much hesitation

[Roy H.]

“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but if I was him, I’m going to Boston,” Walker said on FS1’s “First Things First” Wednesday. “I’m going to Boston. I mean, Kevin Durant did it. Kevin Durant joined the best. The best team in the Eastern Conference right now would be the Boston Celtics. I would figure out a way to Boston if I’m LeBron James.”

I know he’s almost universally hated by the fan base, but I’d welcome Lebron with open arms.

The question: would you trade Kyrie + Morris + filler for him?

I think I would:

Horford / Baynes
Tatum / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Lebron / Rozier

That team is close to unbeatable. Lebron plus four shooters? Lebron on the #1 defense?

I'd have a hard time trading Kyrie for him simply because of age. As much as it'd hurt to do, I would probably trade Hayward or Horford for him without much hesitation

I’d move Kyrie only because I think Lebron would make us the favorite for the next three titles, and I worry about he and Kyrie co-existing.

But if they could make it work, then yeah, Hayward would be an acceptable but unfortunate sacrifice.

[Phantom255x]

Or how about S&T Smart (14-16M/Year), Morris, Yabusele and 2 future non-Kings pick.

Tell Lebron to opt out and in S&T, take a bit of a paycut like Durant (~25M/Year).

There's no way I'm trading a current max deal for him. And maybe Kyrie and Lebron could co-exist, because who knows, maybe Kyrie left more because he hated that CLE FO, not Lebron (The Cavaliers FO and organization does seem like a toxic environment).

[A Future of Stevens]

I am as much a Lebron hater as much as the next guy.


I would meet him at the airport. As has been talked about above, Lebron + 4 shooters who are all above average defenders is game over. and When Lebron FINALLY starts to decline, he can start riding the coat tails of our young wings.


Anyone who wouldn't take Lebron doesn't care about rings. If we got him, without gutting our team, we would take a large lead on the Lakers.

[johnnygreen]

I would love to have LeBron on the Celtics, but I'm not trading Irving or Hayward to make the salaries work. Horford doesn't make sense for either team, so I don't know how you could make the salaries work.

Even if LeBron says f-it, I'm willing to go to the Celtics for the mid-level exception, I would still have hesitation. If I'm Danny, I would ask Kyrie if he would be on board with LeBron on the team and still sign an extension. Also, I would want Danny, coach Stevens, and ownership to make it clear to LeBron that they know what they're doing and to respect their decisions and trust them. And that this is Kyrie's team.

[Roy H.]

I would love to have LeBron on the Celtics, but I'm not trading Irving or Hayward to make the salaries work. Horford doesn't make sense for either team, so I don't know how you could make the salaries work.

Even if LeBron says f-it, I'm willing to go to the Celtics for the mid-level exception, I would still have hesitation. If I'm Danny, I would ask Kyrie if he would be on board with LeBron on the team and still sign an extension. Also, I would want Danny, coach Stevens, and ownership to make it clear to LeBron that they know what they're doing and to respect their decisions and trust them. And that this is Kyrie's team.

Why?

With all due respect to Kyrie or Hayward, Lebron is light years ahead of them as a player.

[CelticsQuestFor18]

Or how about S&T Smart (14-16M/Year), Morris, Yabusele and 2 future non-Kings pick.

Tell Lebron to opt out and in S&T, take a bit of a paycut like Durant (~25M/Year).

There's no way I'm trading a current max deal for him. And maybe Kyrie and Lebron could co-exist, because who knows, maybe Kyrie left more because he hated that CLE FO, not Lebron (The Cavaliers FO and organization does seem like a toxic environment).

I like this idea.

Or maybe they sign Rozier to an extension and trade him in the deal while keeping Smart with Bird Rights?

[gouki88]

I would love to have LeBron on the Celtics, but I'm not trading Irving or Hayward to make the salaries work. Horford doesn't make sense for either team, so I don't know how you could make the salaries work.

Even if LeBron says f-it, I'm willing to go to the Celtics for the mid-level exception, I would still have hesitation. If I'm Danny, I would ask Kyrie if he would be on board with LeBron on the team and still sign an extension. Also, I would want Danny, coach Stevens, and ownership to make it clear to LeBron that they know what they're doing and to respect their decisions and trust them. And that this is Kyrie's team.

Why?

With all due respect to Kyrie or Hayward, Lebron is light years ahead of them as a player.

The only really question is the longevity of that team. LeBron is 34 at the end of this year. If we could get him here the way Phantom suggested, or through (ridiculous, but would be funny) the MLE, I'd be on board if Kyrie was.

I really wouldn't want LeBron trying to override DA and CBS. That would just feel wrong. He'd have to buy in to what we do

[johnnygreen]

I would love to have LeBron on the Celtics, but I'm not trading Irving or Hayward to make the salaries work. Horford doesn't make sense for either team, so I don't know how you could make the salaries work.

Even if LeBron says f-it, I'm willing to go to the Celtics for the mid-level exception, I would still have hesitation. If I'm Danny, I would ask Kyrie if he would be on board with LeBron on the team and still sign an extension. Also, I would want Danny, coach Stevens, and ownership to make it clear to LeBron that they know what they're doing and to respect their decisions and trust them. And that this is Kyrie's team.

Why?

With all due respect to Kyrie or Hayward, Lebron is light years ahead of them as a player.

LeBron will go down as a top 3 or so player in history, and is probably there already. However, Kyrie and Hayward are a lot younger and want to be in Boston for seemingly the long term. LeBron is at the stage in his career where he may be more of a hired gun and will go to the highest bidder or team with the best chance to win on a year to year basis. Plus, with Irving and Hayward, I still think the Celtics are playing for a title for as long as they're here. Trading one of those guys for LeBron will still get us to the title game, but maybe shortening the timetable of title contention.

[Roy H.]

I really wouldn't want LeBron trying to override DA and CBS. That would just feel wrong. He'd have to buy in to what we do

I didn't follow his career close enough in Miami, but I think overall he deferred to Pat Riley.  I wonder if Lebron became co-GM in Cleveland because of what he saw in Miami:  years of being a bit complacent, not improving the team, letting guys like Mike Miller go over money, etc. 

I don't think it would be a problem in Boston in this fantasy world.

[Roy H.]

I would love to have LeBron on the Celtics, but I'm not trading Irving or Hayward to make the salaries work. Horford doesn't make sense for either team, so I don't know how you could make the salaries work.

Even if LeBron says f-it, I'm willing to go to the Celtics for the mid-level exception, I would still have hesitation. If I'm Danny, I would ask Kyrie if he would be on board with LeBron on the team and still sign an extension. Also, I would want Danny, coach Stevens, and ownership to make it clear to LeBron that they know what they're doing and to respect their decisions and trust them. And that this is Kyrie's team.

Why?

With all due respect to Kyrie or Hayward, Lebron is light years ahead of them as a player.

LeBron will go down as a top 3 or so player in history, and is probably there already. However, Kyrie and Hayward are a lot younger and want to be in Boston for seemingly the long term. LeBron is at the stage in his career where he may be more of a hired gun and will go to the highest bidder or team with the best chance to win on a year to year basis. Plus, with Irving and Hayward, I still think the Celtics are playing for a title for as long as they're here. Trading one of those guys for LeBron will still get us to the title game, but maybe shortening the timetable of title contention.

I think that's fair.  Here's how I'd frame the question, though:

Would you rather have a 85% chance at a title for 3-4 years, or a 50% chance at a title for 6-7 years?

[Moranis]

I think Horford is the guy to trade for James, I'd also include Brown or Tatum as I just don't see the minutes being there for both and I think it will take more than Horford to get the Cavs to make the trade.  I'd get back Korver as well as I think he would be good off the bench for his shooting.  So Horford, Brown/Tatum, Yabu (or Semi and Nader) for James, Korver. 

At that point, I'd try to move Irving and Tatum/Brown as a centerpiece for Davis or Irving as a centerpiece for Leonard.  I would be worried about the Irving and James combination and in this scenario you move on from Irving since you are bringing James in.  So let's say Irving, Morris, BOS 1st for Leonard and Mills and it is Brown that goes out for James.  Boston then re-signs the free agents.

PG - Mills, Rozier
SG - Hayward, Smart
SF - Leonard, Korver, Ojeleye
PF - James, Tatum, Theis
C - Baynes, Monroe

I say bring that on.

[johnnygreen]

Or how about S&T Smart (14-16M/Year), Morris, Yabusele and 2 future non-Kings pick.

Tell Lebron to opt out and in S&T, take a bit of a paycut like Durant (~25M/Year).

There's no way I'm trading a current max deal for him. And maybe Kyrie and Lebron could co-exist, because who knows, maybe Kyrie left more because he hated that CLE FO, not Lebron (The Cavaliers FO and organization does seem like a toxic environment).

The only way I see this happening is if the ownership for both teams make some sort of wink-wink deal with out Smart knowing. Something like Wyc saying to Dan Gilbert, if you offer Marcus $16M per year, we won't match and we will include Morris, the 2019 Sacramento pick and either the Grizzlies or Clippers pick for LeBron. Obviously, LeBron would have to be in on it too.

[Phantom255x]

Or how about S&T Smart (14-16M/Year), Morris, Yabusele and 2 future non-Kings pick.

Tell Lebron to opt out and in S&T, take a bit of a paycut like Durant (~25M/Year).

There's no way I'm trading a current max deal for him. And maybe Kyrie and Lebron could co-exist, because who knows, maybe Kyrie left more because he hated that CLE FO, not Lebron (The Cavaliers FO and organization does seem like a toxic environment).

The only way I see this happening is if the ownership for both teams make some sort of wink-wink deal with out Smart knowing. Something like Wyc saying to Dan Gilbert, if you offer Marcus $16M per year, we won't match and we will include Morris, the 2019 Sacramento pick and either the Grizzlies or Clippers pick for LeBron. Obviously, LeBron would have to be in on it too.

Maybe, although adding the Kings Pick seems steep even if it's for Lebron.